Promoting Prosperity: The Art of Early New Zealand Advertising (out of print)

Look to the past in order to forge the future – according to Maori proverb – hoki whakamuri, kia anga whakamua. Promoting Prosperity is a book about the art of early New Zealand advertising, before colour photography and TV changed the media landscape forever. It is written by the same authors who produced the acclaimed and successful book Selling the Dream in 2012. With over 600 images and 11 essays by respected commentators, this book fills an important gap in our art history as the first dedicated and extensive collection of this rich material. But more than that, Promoting Prosperity is a celebration of the dreams and aspirations of early New Zealanders, and of our development as an emerging nation. It profiles many of the economic and social foundations that once made New Zealand the envy of the world; successes that offer an inspiring reminder that no challenge is too big to overcome and no opportunity beyond reach. Promoting Prosperity will leave you in no doubt as to the quality of New Zealand’s early commercial artists, and of our entrepreneurial and creative roots.

Reviews

‘This fantastic resource will help to reassess the importance of commercial art and the critical part it has played in building our visual culture.’ Jim Barr and Mary Barr – Art writers and commentators

Author description

PETER ALSOP is a senior executive who has worked across the public and private sectors. He is a keen collector of New Zealand art, with particular interests in early advertising, tourism publicity, hand-coloured photography and mid-century New Zealand landscape paintings.

GARY STEWART has a background in corporate and small business brand design, but spends most of his time now with clients on publishing and hospitality projects through his company The Gas Project.